Community Brag Posts

While my wife was away for the weekend, the boys (3 year old twins) decided to surprise her with a new coffee table! We had to get rid of the old IKEA one due to its sharp edges... we've already had one ER visit and nine stitches! A few notes/things I learned: * Pay attention to which side of the wood you leave facing out. A lot of my boards had one smoother side and I accidentally put those face-down. Meant a lot more sanding. * A belt sander would have made this a lot easier. * I took care to round all the exposed outer edges with the sander. A router would have been better for this, as it took a lot of care to make sure they were even. * It's going to get about three coats of polyurethane now, but I still would recommend coasters. This thing is HEAVY. It will probably outlast me. :)

I followed the plans but modified for a king size. I upholstered my bed in a linen colored upholstery fabric and added the nailhead trim to the headboard. This is the most sturdy bed I have ever owned. I don’t know if I will ever be able to buy from a store again!!

This project is closest to the Simple Closet Organizer, but I wanted to be able to re-use the existing components of the closet. The only purchased materials were one sheet of cabinet grade plywood and dowel rod holders (since I already had paint and screws).

I wanted to build this sectional such that it could be used with or without cushions. I modified the backs so that pillows and cushions would not fall through. Because I wanted to use redwood rather than the cheaper pine stock, I had to rip the lumber myself out of 2x4s. This process was a little tedious and required some minor modifications because the stock was slightly thinner than production lumber. However, this saved me money because each cut list resulted in two chairs rather than one. I also built the ottomans, side tables, and potting tables using ana-white plans. Because I dimensioned the lumber myself, this project took considerably longer than the estimate on the plans. This was a fun project that I will enjoy for many years to come.

Adaptation to fit my little mitre saw, small workshop and the metric timber available in B&Q. My first build, this should let me build more while staying comfortable and safe. I'm ridiculously pleased with myself!

It took longer to build than expected because my little boy thinks naps are for wimps.

In case anyone in the UK wants to build similar, here's my adapted sizes.

18mm plywood cutting list:

2   85cm x 50cm (sides)

3    50cm x 50cm (shelves)

2    50cm x 60cm (leaves)

2    45cm x 30cm (leaf supports - replaced fancy brackets that were too expensive over here)

Timber cuts:

6  34mm x 34mm @ 50cm (cleats)

6  18mm x 70mm @ 52cm (supports)

2  18mm x 70mm @ 42cm (spacers) 

Been a while since I had time to actually build anything worth posting about! My wife wanted some items for her Kindergarten classroom this year, so built several items, most inspired by the Farmhouse family.

When we finished our playroom I knew I needed to build the lap desk for their nail salon! It's the perfect size to do nails on and it holds all of their nail polish, files and cotton balls. I didn't add the trays on the side of the desk because we didn't have the space. I think I probably spent more time trying to figure out the hinges than I did building the desk!

I needed a microwave cart/table/stand, but couldn't find one at a price I was agreeable with. So naturally I started snooping on the internet. I originally found this plan, http://ana-white.com/2013/05/plans/2x4-craft-table and then modified it to fit my microwave and able to hide my garbage can underneath. I plan on finishing it with a ruffled skirt (to actually hide the can) and stenciling+staining the wood.

A few mods with beefier lumber.

I used the 6 Cubby plans and just started tweaking.  First was the plan to just do 12 cubbies, then decided to just put in adjustable shelves for aethetic purposes and not having it look too "Boxy"  After that decided it would look better with doors too.

as for the shelf on top, I used the cubby bookshelf plans and just made it wider to match the width of the doors and then decided to also make it adjustable shelving as well.  (used the kreg shelf pin system.)

Overall turned out pretty good. I am making a even bigger one for my other room.

I built this a a birthday gift for my sister. My dad brought me a stack of old fence boards and I used them for everything but the legs (4x4s) and cross pieces (2x2s). I hand planed the boards the assembled everything using Kreg jig, pocket screws and glue. The top I stained with a mix of minwax mahogany and walnut then waxed. The base was painted an off white and distressed. My sister loved it!

I made this table for my sister's Lake House. It isn't from a specific plan but I used many techniques and tips from Ana White's site to build it. The inspiration came from a table my sister and her husband saw at a Vineyard in Napa Valley. I bought the 4 legs 5" X 5" from Osborne Wood Products Inc. but all the other wood is just builders grade pine. My sister wanted a trestle table, I was a bit worried about stability but this table is rock solid! The table top measures 48" x 90" exactly the size to fit their new dining room! It hangs 12" out from the base all around. I stained it with Minwax Golden Oak oil based stain and finished it with Minwax Polycrylic.

Table is 4 1/2 long. Used

the farmhouse end. And used 2x12 for bottom instead of 1x12

We made six 4-foot photo ledges for about $20 in wood and $2 in screws. We put two in the master bedroom, two in the nursery, and two in the family room! That's alot of decorating for $22 (plus the cost of frames... which were all either thrifted or we already had)

I built this little book caddy for my son's room. I used pocket holes to attach the horizontal slats as well as for making the 'X' pieces. I glued the bottom boards and used long (2.5") screws to attach the top horizontal pieces. I was really happy with the way it came together, once I figured out that I could use pocket holes on the horizontal main beams. I realized you just have to start at the top and work your way down, because starting at the bottom would mean blocking your access to the bottom of the other boards.

I'm so excited Ana created plans for this table!  When I first came across it on Pottery Barn Kids it was love at first sight. :D  I built it over the weekend for my little toddler.  Unfortunately, he's too short for it, but he'll grow into soon enough. :)  (I secretly wished it was an art table appropriate for my height!)

It cost me about $75 to build.  I splurged and bought select pine boards for the project.  The art table was also my submission for September's Fab Furniture Flippin' Contest.  September's sponsor is General Finishes and the theme was geometry!

Now, I just need to build matching seats! I love the little stools Ana built; maybe I'll do something sorta like that. :)  

Thank you Ana for inspiring me to build!